Back Bone

Happy Birthday Daniel

 It's a dark, rainy night at the park and the wind whistled violently as i stare out to the canal. I glance at my reflection in the water. I wonder if it's deep enough to drown in but i'm not going to do it, i only think of that just to make myself feel better. "Happy Birthday Daniel..." I say softly to myself with my arms tucked under my head. This year, i turned 23. Yup Happy Birthday to me...

four years ago, I was on vacation with my parents in the rockies. Dad was in the driver seat, mom was in the passenger's seat, and me, I was in my own little bubble in the back seat. we were on a straight and narrow road headed to my uncle's place, who is the head of the large organization my father was started. we were putting along in our little sedan as we were having a fun little dispute when we saw the headlights of a large 14 wheeler semi-truck barreling over the hill. Dad freaked and threw the little vehicle right, into a guardrail. the guard rail gave in which led to my parents rocky death. My family on both ends abhorred me for surviving when they did not. i throw a nearby rock into the water "You bastards!" i scream

I felt my pocket vibrate. I grabbed my phone to see Dr. Mclachlan. I answered

"Hello?" I asked

"Hi Daniel this is Dr. Mclachlan" He said "I see on my sheet here, that you were scheduled to come in today. What happened?"

"Sorry about that Doc, I just needed some time to clear my head."

"That's what i get paid to do so please come in next time you schedule in"

"All right Doc, I will be in touch soon." I said. I turn off the lcd screen of my phone. As my eyes were getting trained to the dark again, i heard a childish whimper by the swingset. i ran over to the swingset where i heard the sounds. I look around but no one was there. Great, now i'm paranoid

I felt something tugging on my shirt. I turned around to see it's a young girl soaked by the rain. she reminds me of something, but i can't quite put my finger on it.

"Excuse me mister?" She asked. "have you seen my mom and dad." . She was a child possibly of the age of 9. She has the prettiest pale silver eyes i have ever seen, and those clothes. She is basically wearing rags.

"I'm sorry sweety, but i haven't". i said with a sincere smile. I was trying not to appear to her not as a creep."What's your name?" I asked. I've always had a skill of hiding my emotions. it always scared me. I was so good i even fooled myself. I bottled those emotions until one day they just bursts like a shaken up cola bottle that was opened suddenly.

"LillyAnna is my name" She said.

"Whats wrong?" I asked trying not to sound insensitive.

"Mom and dad wanted to take me to the park to play. They told me that they had a surprise for me and sat me on the swing and left. they said that they'll be right back and they left me here since lunchtime." i was taken aback by how calm she was.

"And It's about 9PM. Poor thing. Do you have any family that will look out for you?" I asked.

"No the only people in this world that was willing to watch me is my parents." She said as her eyes well up in tears.

"Ok, well you can stay with me for a while while i look for your parents."

"Ok" she said as we start walking in the same direction.

She followed me to my house where i used to live in with my parents. it's a small 3 bedroom house: one room is my parents, another is my dad's music room full of musical devices, and the last room is my own.

"Ok, this is my home" i said.

"You have a nice home mister" she said.

"Mister?" i asked confused

"You haven't given me a name to call you by." She huffed. I felt kind of embarrassed that i was being talked down to by someone who is almost half my age "Where are your parents?" She asked looking around.

"My name is Daniel... and I live alone." I say sadly. Now that i think about it i have always been alone, even before the accident. I was either in my room or at a friends place. mainly because my mom is always drunk after 6PM and couldn't pretend to love me long enough to put down the bottle and my dad is a war veteran who is difficult to hold a conversation, but don't think i spite my parents or anything. I love my mother ironically to death. i have nothing but respect for my father, as i said he's a veteran so he speaks with a low husky sounding voice with his chest sticking out not wasting any chance to cuss like a cheap prostitute getting her kicks." Well let me show you to the room where you'll be sleeping." I walked her to the master bedroom previously belonging to my parents. i opened the door which squeaked from lack of use." There is a bathroom in this room so you can take a shower while i wash your clothes. There should be a bathrobe hanging on the door. its prolly too large for you but it will cover you while i wash your clothes."

"Ok" she said giving me a rain soaked yet warm hug. she waddles off to the bathroom to wash up as i went down stairs to go make us some food

I walked to the fridge to get the chicken i left to thaw and i made some chicken alfredo. as i set the table i looked at the product of perfection i cooked up. it looks good enough to scarf down right now, but i waited for the new occupant. Almost on cue LillyAnna ran down the stairs and sat at the table. i turned my head and chuckled a little at how big the robe actually was.

"My clothes are in the wash room." She said with her sparkling eyes fixed on mine.

" Ill put them in the wash as soon as we're done eating." we ate the alfredo to our heart's content leaving no leftovers. "Tomorrow, i think i'm gonna take you clothes shopping."

"Okay" she said yawning.

"I'm going to put your clothes in the wash now"

"Ok" she said. I stood up and walked to the washroom. i picked up her shirt and saw that there is hardly any of original material left, most of the shirt is patches. If lily didn't give me her name, i might of just called her just that. Patches.

I put her clothes in the dryer after the wash was over and i walked down stairs. I lay my head on the railing to see Lilly asleep with her head on the table. i walked over to her. i stared at her face closer. She's cute, not in a weird way but pretty. i picked her up and put her on my back. i carefully walked up stairs and laid her in her bed. poor thing, you had such a long day that's exactly what you needed. Sleep. I walked into my bedroom and laid down. It's almost like right as my head hits the pillow i just pass out.